2.7 - Monitoring Growth using Percentiles

Question 1

Why is it important to measure the growth of an organism?

Answer 1

To check on the progress of crops for farmers or to monitor if a child is growing at a normal rate.

Question 2

What are percentiles charts used for?

Answer 2

They indicate the rate at which an organism of interest is growing.

Question 3

What measurements can be used to assess the growth of babies?

Answer 3

Mass, length, or head circumference.

Question 4

What does it mean if a baby is born at the 50th percentile for mass?

Answer 4

The baby is heavier than 50% of babies.

Question 5

What does it mean if a baby is born at the 25th percentile for mass?

Answer 5

The baby is heavier than 75% of babies.

Question 6

What does it mean if a baby is born at the 75th percentile for mass?

Answer 6

The baby is heavier than 25% of babies.

Question 7

How can we visualize the 75th percentile for babies?

Answer 7

For every 100 babies born, a baby in the 75th percentile will be heavier than 25 of them.

Question 8

What can being in a high percentile (e.g., 90th percentile or higher) indicate?

Answer 8

It can indicate a health problem.